Standing the test of time

The International Bangla Literature Conference 1424, on the theme "Bishwamanab Hobi Jadi Kayemon-e Bangali Ho", concluded yesterday at Bangla Academy.

With a call to revisit the literary creations by classical and contemporary wordsmiths of Bangla Literature, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the grand conference as chief guest on January 13.

Banga Academy buzzed with a variety of programmes including seminars, discussions, and open adda on Bangla Literature, poetry recitation, musical performances, storytelling, staging of plays, screening of films and more for the last three days.

On the second evening, renowned singer Bulbul Islam performed songs at the Rabindra Mancha of the Academy, as part of the cultural programmes. Elocutionists and folk singers from Bangladesh and India kept The Lalan Mancha vibrant, while Dhaka Theatre celebrated Selim Al Deen's birth anniversary through staging one of his important creations, "Dhaboman", at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad auditorium.     

Former Indian president Pranab Mukhjerjee graced the closing ceremony at Nazrul Mancha, of the Academy yesterday. Finance Minister AMA Muhith chaired the session, while Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman delivered the closing address. Eminent Tagore singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya performed at the ceremony.

Bangla is not just a language for which we shed blood in 1952 to find our identity and stand upright on the conscience of Language Movement; nor is it just literature that glorified us in 1913 through the international recognition of Rabindranath Tagore's Nobel win. Bangla gives itself to the name of our country -- Bangladesh -- that has its own history of glorious and sublime movements through which the Bangalis achieved independence in the War of Liberation of 1971.

Bangla Literature dates back to the seventh century and is divided into three main periods: ancient, medieval, and modern. The journey of Bangla Literature started with poetry and music, as the psalms of Charyapada bear the testimony of ancient text of Bangla Literature. The successive literary texts like Nath Sahitya, Sri Krishna Kirttan, Mongol Kavya, Vaishnav Padavali, Shakto Padavali, PuNthi Sahitya, Kobigaan, Baul Gaan, Bangla Tappa, Panchakabir Gaan, adhunik songs, inspirational songs of Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, patriotic songs, film songs, opulent folk songs, band music and more signify that the Bangalis are fond of poetry and music. Literature, art and music played a pivotal role in shaping our Bangladeshi culture.  

The International Bangla Literature Conference Organisers' Council, in collaboration with Nikhil Bharat Banga Sahitya Sammelan (All India Bengali Literary Conference) and Friends of Bangladesh organised the conference, sponsored by the Ministry of Finance and Cultural Affairs Ministry of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.